Just got my hands on a Z6ii for my trip to Tokyo next month and I am so pumped to finally go mirrorless! Been doing some digging and the 24-70mm f/4 seems like the standard pick but then I see everyone online obsessing over the 24-120mm f/4 S as the perfect one-lens solution. I really dont want to be swapping lenses while walking through Shibuya. My budget is capped at $900 which makes the 120mm a bit of a stretch unless I go used. Is the extra reach really that much of a game changer for street and landscapes or should I just stick with the smaller kit lens? What do you guys think is the absolute best all-arounder for travel?
Saw this thread and had to chime in because i've been in your shoes before. Honestly, if you are on a strict $900 budget, just grab a used Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S and call it a day. You can find them for around $400-450 easily since so many people sell them as kit leftovers. It is incredibly compact which matters way more than you think when you are walking 20k steps a day through Shinjuku. Over the years, I have learned that having a lighter setup makes the trip much more enjoyable. The 24-120mm is a beast, but it is heavier and way more expensive. If you go with the cheaper 24-70mm, you'll have enough left over to pick up the Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 for those night shots. f/4 is gonna struggle once the neon lights come on and you want that blurry background or faster shutter speeds for street stuff. Directly answering your question tho... the extra reach from 70 to 120 is nice for compressed landscapes, but for 90% of travel shots, 70mm is plenty. Save your money for the food and experiences in Japan instead of blowing it all on one lens that might feel heavy by day three. That 24-70mm f/4 S is punchy, sharp, and basically a total steal at current used prices.
If you are walking through Shibuya all day, you really should prioritize the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S even if you have to buy it used. I have spent a lot of time with both lenses and that extra reach on the long end is a massive game changer for picking out architectural details or getting compression in busy crowds. A few things you might want to consider:
- Make sure to evaluate the weight because the 120mm is heavier than the compact Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S and your neck will feel it after a while.
- I would suggest looking for a used copy to stay under your 900 dollar budget since retail is way higher.
- Be careful with the 70mm limit on the kit lens as you might find it frustratingly short when you cant get close to your subject in Tokyo. Basically, the 120mm is the superior travel choice tho you gotta be okay with the bulk.
Just get any Nikon S-line zoom! The weather sealing is amazing for travel and the glass is fantastic. Native glass is just way better for autofocus than third-party stuff anyway. Youll love it!
